Friday, July 1, 2011

Bachman and Palin throwing off the curve again...

{From Gothamist} On Monday America celebrates Independence Day with fireworks and barbecues and beer, but according to a new Marist Poll one in four Americans don't even know what country America declared its independence from. And only 58 percent of residents know that the U.S. broke off in 1776. U.S.A.!

The survey of 1,003 adults was taken earlier this month and found that younger Americans were the least likely to know when America broke away from Great Britain. Only 31 percent of adults younger than 30 said 1776 when asked while 59 percent of residents between 30 and 44 got the question right. Americans 45 to 59 were most likely to know the year, with 75 percent getting it right. 65 percent of men got the answer right while only 52 percent of women did.

Meanwhile somehow the fact that nine percent of college graduates were not sure what country America declared independence from while two percent mentioned countries other than Great Britain is what disturbed us the most. You can see a full breakdown of the survey here [PDF].